If you have clicked on this blog, we are sure you are looking for persistent depressive disorder treatment. Persistent depressive disorder is also known as dysthymia. It is a condition where an individual feels the symptoms of depression for a long period. A total of 2.5% to 3% of the adult population of the United States suffer from PPD.
On the bright side, this mental health disorder can be managed with persistent depressive disorder treatment.
What is a persistent depressive disorder?
Also called dysthymia or dysthymic disorder, persistent depressive disorder (PPD) is a type of depression that is felt over a long period. In this type of mental health disorder, the symptoms of depression do not subside. Although it is less severe than an episode of major depressive disorder, it continues for a long time and can affect an individual’s quality of life.
People suffering from persistent depressive disorder may experience the symptoms lasting for at least 2 years in adults and at least 1 year in teenagers and children. The symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are mild to moderate. However, an individual suffering from PPD will always be gloomy. They will notice that their mood is low, sad, or dark most of the time. However, the good news is that there are various options for persistent depressive disorder treatment available.
What causes persistent depressive disorder?
The brain chemistry of those suffering from depression is different from those who are not suffering from any mental health disorder. Research states that the serotonin hormone is remarkably lower in those who are suffering from depression. Serotonin is the hormone that is responsible for an individual’s mood and regulates the balance of the body.
Therefore, most antidepressants today contain serotonin which helps regulate the production of this hormone in the brain and bring it back to normal levels.
What are the symptoms of persistent depressive disorder?
Given that a whopping 3% of the US population has suffered from PPD at some point in their lives, awareness about this is crucial. Since every individual is different, symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are also different for every individual. However, the following symptoms require persistent depressive disorder treatment:
- A chronic feeling of sadness
- Suppressed appetite or an increase in appetite
- Lethargy
- Low self-esteem and self-worth
- A decline in productivity levels
- Loss of interest in activities that an individual once enjoyed
- A feeling of irritation and sudden outburst of anger
- Difficulty in falling or staying asleep
- Poor concentration or memory
Although these symptoms may not seem serious, they can impact the quality of life of an individual and affect their professional and personal lives. These symptoms can be managed with appropriate persistent depressive disorder treatment.
What is persistent depressive disorder treatment?
Once an individual is diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder, this mental health disease can be treated with a combination of therapy, medications, or both.
Therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, and interpersonal therapy can help individual refine their negative thoughts and direct their mental energy to fruitful tasks.
On the other hand, antidepressants are also helpful in managing the symptoms of depression. As discussed previously, hormones like serotonin help regulate the mood of an individual.
How to assess whether persistent depressive disorder treatment is required?
Various factors are taken into consideration before determining whether a patient is suffering from persistent depressive disorder. Once the assessment is complete, the persistent depressive disorder treatment is administered. A therapist can conclude whether the patient is suffering from persistent depressive disorder with the following steps:
- Physical examination: A therapist may conduct a deep assessment of the physical health of an individual. They may ask questions related to their medical history and to understand the underlying health complications.
- Blood reports: There are some health complications like deficiency of vitamin D3 that can mimic the symptoms of persistent depressive disorder. The therapist may also conduct blood tests to rule out other medical complications before proceeding with persistent depressive disorder treatment.
- Psychological examination: A good therapist will always conduct psychological evaluations to understand the mental health condition of a patient. In a psychological evaluation, the therapist encourages the patient to open up about their thoughts and feelings. This helps them to understand their behavior patterns. This practice can also help the therapist to understand whether the patient is suffering from persistent depressive disorder, depressive disorder, seasonal depression, bipolar disorder, etc.
Which factors determine persistent depressive disorder treatment?
Although there are enough options for persistent depressive disorder treatment available, the following factors determine the persistent depressive disorder treatment:
- The severity of the symptoms
- History of other mental health disorders
- Whether or not medicines can be administered to the patient
- The patient’s preference for treatments
- The patient’s keenness to get persistent depressive disorder treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does persistent depressive disorder treatment work?
Yes, persistent depressive disorder treatment works wonders for most patients. The most popular treatment for PPD is cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy helps the patient become aware of their thoughts and emotions. CBT can redirect those thoughts to a positive outlook.
2. How can I live with PPD without getting persistent depressive disorder treatment?
Activities like drawing, writing, and cycling work wonders for boosting an individual’s happiness. Additionally, meditation, yoga, and mindfulness also help to live peacefully without getting persistent depressive disorder treatment.
3. What is the initial persistent depressive disorder treatment?
In the initial stages of persistent depressive disorder treatment, the therapist administers a combination of medications and therapy.
4. Is persistent depressive disorder a serious mental illness?
Although persistent depressive disorder is another kind of depression, it is not as serious as an episode of a major depressive disorder. When an individual suffers from PPD, they can experience its symptoms for a continuous period.
5. What is the difference between persistent depressive disorder and clinical depression?
The difference between persistent depressive disorder and clinical depression can be identified with its duration. In cases where an individual is suffering from persistent depressive disorder, the symptoms last for 2 years or more. On the other hand, individuals who suffer from clinical depression suffer from the symptoms sporadically after a gap of 2 months between the episodes of depressive disorders.
Conclusion
Persistent depressive disorder is a type of depression that manifests with comparatively moderate and mild symptoms than episodes of major depressive disorders. Patients who suffer from persistent depressive disorder suffer from a low mood for more than 2 years.
It is unfortunate that many people suffer from PPD and fail to seek a persistent depressive disorder treatment simply because they are not aware of its symptoms. This mental health condition can affect the patient’s way of thinking and their quality of life.
On the bright side, once an individual is aware of PPD, they can seek help in getting proper treatment for the same.
